Overview
- Germany’s Foreign Office said the Bundeswehr Airbus A350 slated to depart Hamburg was unavailable due to a technical defect, prompting the change of plans.
- Wadephul will fly to Santa Marta, Colombia on a scheduled service to represent Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU–CELAC meeting, after Merz opted not to attend.
- A Luftwaffe spokesperson cited damage to the aircraft’s icing protection system and said replacement parts have been ordered.
- The minister’s itinerary still foresees travel on to Bolivia for President‑elect Rodrigo Paz’s inauguration and then to Canada for a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting.
- BILD reported the government jet could be back in service by Sunday, a claim not independently confirmed, and the airline carrying Wadephul has not been disclosed.